Fox: Stegeman 'perfect'

Men's basketball notebook

Posted: Saturday, May 23, 2009

By Marc Weiszer

GREENSBORO - Stegeman Coliseum has been called a lot of things, but new Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox used a word Friday not often heard to describe the arena constructed in 1964 that many believe is showing its age.

There wasn't much energy in 10,523-seat Stegeman in recent seasons under Dennis Felton, who was fired midway through his sixth season after just one NCAA Tournament appearance.

"If we can get the students back and get the fans back and improve our team, then Stegeman is going to be a wonderful place to play college basketball," Fox said.

Seven weeks after being introduced as Georgia's coach, Fox was introduced Friday to the Athletic Association's board of directors at its spring meeting held at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation.

"We're going to outwork and outcoach a lot of people, I'm convinced," Georgia president Michael Adams said before Fox spoke.

Georgia athletic director Damon Evans described Fox as "a basketball junkie. He still likes to tell people he can dunk at age 40. I have yet to see him dunk. ... I want all of you to really give him the support. Give him resources."

Georgia's master plan for facility improvements includes expanding the concourses at Stegeman and adding new concessions areas and restrooms. There is no timetable set.

Evans asked board members to come to games and to bring 20 to 30 friends.

Attendance at Georgia men's games last year dropped 1,145 to an average of 6,678 and season tickets were down by 900.

"The building is not an issue," Fox said. "We were at Nevada. We had a beautiful building. We never once talked about it in recruiting. The atmosphere is something that, ultimately, you can sell in recruiting, and that's what we have to focus on."

One holdout from winning hand

Fox is inheriting a program that went 3-13 in the Southeastern Conference last season and 12-20 overall.

Adams pointed out that the team has plenty of work to do to reach the level of those on campus.

"We have 20 of 21 sports with winning records," Adams said. "I'm confident in a couple or three years, we're going to be 21 of 21."

"Twenty out of 21 ain't bad," Fox said. "I'm coming from Nevada and 21 is a pretty good number."

Fox was understated about the overall deficiencies of the team.

"We realize we have a few areas to address," he said, drawing laughter from his audience.

Hank Huckaby, a retired senior vice president of finance and administration, was more blunt when he told Fox: "It's not a well-kept secret that we have trouble scoring."

Fox wants Georgia to become more offensive-minded and improve its free-throw shooting.

"You're on full scholarship, you should be able to make a free throw," he said.

New staff bonds quickly

Fox and his coaching staff - Kwanza Johnson, Philip Pearson and Stacey Palmore - have been living at the Georgia Center hotel while they get started on rebuilding the program.

"Our families aren't there, so we don't feel guilty about working late," Fox said. "I really felt like in establishing our staff just like a team, you need the right balance, you need the right strengths and you need the right chemistry and I really feel good about the start so far."

Fox's wife, Cindy, and their two kids are still in Nevada until the school year is finished and then will move to Georgia. His wife has been to Athens twice to look at homes.

"We're making some progress," Fox said. "I wouldn't say I had anything to do with that."

This and that

Georgia still has three open dates to fill on its 2009-10 schedule after adding five games (all single games at home) since Fox's hire. ... Fox said Georgia is still actively recruiting for its current class and will consider international players. ... Fox said an academic counselor at Georgia said the program has enjoyed "the best five weeks we've had in a long time."